To the mom that hates to clean

Yesterday was a tough day. Husband out of town. My daughter had to be picked up from school. I got the pleasure of being the brunt of her crankiness all day long.

Kicking holes in the walls is frowned upon, so I figured a little jog would do me good and got on the treadmill at 9 pm.

I hate cardio, by the way. But I hate feeling defeated by the day more.

After 3 minutes, I looked up at the wreck that was my living room and felt guilty for being on the treadmill. So I got off and picked up a bit for 5 minutes. Then I got back on the treadmill. Then I got back off and picked up some more. Then I got back on and finished.

I effectively fit in some cardio cleaning intervals lol.

It’s hard juggling the tough stuff. But when it’s quiet at night I can’t help but be grateful that I can drop everything to pick up my daughter when the nurse calls. I don’t have to drive 45 minutes across town, leaving behind a disappointed boss and leaderless team.

My book will still be waiting. My business won’t break apart. I’m not letting anyone down to take care of my family. I’ve worked hard to be able to say that.

My DNA didn’t come with a natural affinity for cleaning. It didn’t even come with the failsafe that makes people feel anxious and unable to work among the chaos, so forces them to clean.

I won’t be remembered as an awesome housewife.

Hopefully, I’ll be remembered as an amazing cook, kind person, compassionate mom, and passionate business owner.

I do not believe that women who leave the workforce have to be happy cooking and cleaning after their families to prove that they love them.

But at the same time, there is nothing wrong with the women who are happy doing those things.

But it is wrong for intelligent, driven women to feel inadequate for wanting to do more. Whether someone else makes you feel that way or you feel that way about yourself, there shouldn’t be anything wrong with having more ambition in life.

Becoming a mom doesn’t mean you have to give up your dreams, even if becoming a mom was the dream you wanted the most. (Like it was for me.)

You’ll always be more than a mom

I want my kids to look back and remember that their mom loved them fiercely, but she also loved other things too. Like writing, like supporting others, like growing her business.

This is why I do this.

It isn’t just because I like to work out, make cute things, and complain about the baskets of laundry.

I like to share timesaving parenting hacks, easy recipes, and cleaning tips (yes I know I said I’m horrible at cleaning — it doesn’t mean that I don’t work on improving it every day) for one reason alone.

So that the moms who aren’t happy filling their days with cooking and cleaning, can spare more time on the things that do make them happy.

So she has time to relax and enjoy her time with her family not just clean up after them.

So she can read a book.

So she can work on her blog.

So she can go to the gym.

So she can sell LulaRoe, Rodan and Fields, Young Living or whatever else she wants to do.

There is nothing wrong with anyone wanting more out of life than cooking and cleaning. So keep teaching your children to follow their passions and hustle. So let your husband enjoy his hobby. And make sure you take the time to take care of YOU.